Breadcrumb

1. Home

2. Print 

3. Pdf 

4. Node 

5. Entity Print 

Pet Birds Entering the United States

From Mexico

Last Modified: 

Print

Carefully read ALL requirements on this page.  

It is the pet owner’s responsibility to make sure their pet meets U.S. entry

requirements. Failure to meet these import requirements will result in problems

upon arrival in the United States, and the pet may be refused entry.

Multiple U.S. agencies regulate pets imported into the United States. It is

important that you notify and coordinate with all responsible government

agencies.

Import Permit

Please use the Veterinary Services Permitting Assistant (VSPA) to confirm your pet

import permit requirements. Click on the Live Animals tab. The VSPA will provide you

with a summary of required import documents including permit applications,

certificates, informational letters, and more.

Summary
For pet birds entering the United States (U.S.) from Mexico, the requirements

generally include:

appropriate U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) certifications and permits;

a Veterinary Services (VS) import permit.

an original health certificate issued or endorsed by the government of Mexico

upon entry in the U.S., disease testing and a 30 day quarantine

Fees

There are fees associated with all VS services; in general, you can expect to pay a

minimum of $700.00 for these services.

Do you need a permit?

If your bird is entering at

a LAND border port

If your bird is entering at

an AIR or SEA port

Import Permit Entry Prohibited Required

Veterinary Health

Certificate Entry Prohibited Required

Quarantine Entry Prohibited 30-Day Federal

Quarantine

Veterinary

Inspection upon

Entry

Entry Prohibited Required

Return of declared pet birds to Mexico refused entry to United States (65.31 KB)

Travel Requirements

To make the travel process easier for you, we have broken the process into steps

and have listed the approximate time frame that each step will likely take to

complete.  Please note that each step below has expandable text that will provide

additional detail on the requirements including fees.
STEP 1: Make tentative travel plans

SUGGESTED TIME FRAME: 60-90 days prior to scheduled departure

Your pet bird must have been in your possession for a minimum of 90 days

immediately before travel, and must not have been in contact with any other birds

or poultry.

All pet birds from Mexico, regardless of whether they have ever been in

the U.S., must go to federal quarantine for at least 30 days upon entry in

the U.S.  These pet birds may also only enter the U.S. at certain designated

ports.

You must make arrangements for your pet bird to fly into the U.S. at one of the

airports associated with a USDA Animal Import Center. 

Designated Airports

Permanently Staffed Airports

Jamaica, New York (JFK)

718-553-3570

vspsjfk@aphis.usda.gov

Miami, Florida (MIA)

305-876-2200

vspsmia@aphis.usda.gov

Los Angeles, California (LAX)

310-955-3311

vspslax@aphis.usda.gov

FOR TRANSITS ONLY

Your bird must travel directly to one of these ports of entry without first stopping at

any other U.S. port.  Contact VS personnel at the Animal Import Center to make a

reservation for your pet bird and to discuss arrangements to transport your pet bird

to quarantine upon arrival into the U.S. 

You will need to allow plenty of time at the designated port to complete all activities

involved in getting your pet bird to federal quarantine. If the designated port is not

your final destination and you need to make a connecting flight, please make sure
you have a minimum of 4 hours between your flights. The time required may vary by

port; you can contact VS personnel at the port to discuss logistics.

Please note: FWS may have additional restrictions related to eligibility, please see

STEP 2 for contact information.

STEP 2: Contact U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

SUGGESTED TIME FRAME: 60-90 days prior to scheduled departure

In the U.S., FWS regulates birds protected by the Convention on International Trade

in Endangered Species (CITES) and the Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992 (WBCA).

 There are extensive U.S. entry and exit requirements for birds regulated under

these laws, so it is critical that you contact FWS to discuss their processes and fees if

your bird is regulated by them. To determine your pet bird is regulated by FWS, visit

the FWS Traveling Abroad with Your Pet Bird website to learn more.

You may also contact them directly at 703-358-2104 or 800-358-2104.

STEP 3: Apply for an import permit

SUGGESTED TIME FRAME: 30 days prior to scheduled departure

All pet birds entering the U.S. at an airport or seaport must have a VS import permit.

For all pet birds from Mexico, you will submit the permit application to the VS

National Import Export Services (NIES) Staff in Riverdale, Maryland.

You must apply for a VS import permit approximately 30 days prior to departure.

You need to know your route of travel and specify a travel date before applying. The

import permit is valid for 30 days from your specified travel date. If your travel plans

change and your pet bird will be arriving in the U.S. more than 30 days after the

travel date specified on the import permit, you will have to apply for an amended

permit or a new permit. Permits can only be amended (for an additional fee) before

they expire. Once your permit expires, you will need to submit a new import permit

application.

Fees for VS import permits:

9CFR 130.4 “initial permit” – this fee is charged per application so if you have more

than one pet bird but they are all traveling with you at the same time, then all of the

birds should all be listed on the application and one permit can cover them all.
9CFR 130.4 “amended permit” – this fee is charged ONLY if you need to amend a

permit that has already been issued (for example if your travel route or port of entry

changes).

Applying for an import permit is done by completing and submitting an Application

for Import or Intransit Permit, called the VS Form 17-129. The VS Form 17-129 can

be completed and submitted via e-mail, standard mail, or fax OR completed and

submitted electronically on-line via the ePermits system. Please allow 7-10 business

days from the time your import permit application is received for it to be issued.

Manual submission of the VS Form 17-129 to NIES Riverdale Staff via e-mail,

standard mail, or fax

Complete the fillable VS 17-129 General Instructions (73.07 KB))

Submit via one of the following methods:

E-mail: VS.Live.Animals.Import.Permits@aphis.usda.gov

Fax: 301-734-4704

Mail:

USDA-APHIS-VS-NIES

4700 River Road, Unit 40

Riverdale, MD 20737

Electronic submission of the VS Form 17-129 via the ePermits System

Online Instructions for the VS 17-129 form in ePermits (556.61 KB)

Permits can be emailed or mailed to the importer via U.S. Postal Service. You should

indicate how you would like to receive your permit when you submit the permit

application. If you have not received your permit at least 72 hours ahead of

scheduled travel, call the office where you submitted the application and ask about

the status. Note: If receiving the permit by email, use a color printer to print your

document, as you must have one with a blue signature.

STEP 4: Pre-export isolation (Birds arriving from countries the US considers to be affected by

HPAI

SUGGESTED TIME FRAME: 60-90 days prior to scheduled departure

All pet birds arriving from Mexico must undergo a pre-export isolation for at least

21 days prior to travel.

The pre-export isolation must:
Occur for a minimum of 21 days immediately preceding the date of travel to

the U.S.

Be supervised by either an official government veterinarian, or by a

veterinarian who has been authorized by the foreign government to supervise

the isolation and issue the export health certificate.

NOTE: This isolation can be accomplished in the home so long as it

is under the approval of the veterinarian who will issue the health

certificate. There can be no other birds in the home, unless those

birds are also being shipped, and are listed on the U.S. import

permit.

Once pre-export isolation has been completed, the pet bird must be transferred

directly from the isolation location to the port of embarkation (ex: airport) in a

carrier that has been sealed by either the government veterinarian or, if

permitted by the foreign government, an authorized veterinarian.

The seals must have identifying marks or numbers which are then

recorded on the health certificate that is issued or endorsed by the foreign

government.

The seals must have a locking mechanism to ensure the cage has not

been opened during transit to the United States.

Any signs of seal tampering or damage could result in refusal entry of your

pet bird into the United States.

STEP 5: Obtain health certificate from Mexico

SUGGESTED TIME FRAME:

within 30 days prior to travel (airlines may require a shorter time frame)

All pet birds entering the U.S. from Mexico are required to have a health certificate

issued within 30 days of travel by a veterinarian in Mexico. The health certificate

must be stamped by the official government veterinarian of Mexico.

Either the model health certificate provided HERE (297.7 KB) may be used,

or a health certificate issued by the country of export (with English translation)

that meets the following guidelines is also acceptable:

The health certificate is issued or endorsed by a full-time salaried veterinarian

of the national government within the agency responsible for animal health in

Mexico.

It is dated within 30 days of the date the bird leaves the foreign country.
It is in English or contains a complete written English translation within the

document.

It clearly identifies the bird, and the identification matches the import permit.

The animal is exported in accordance with the laws of the exporting

country. NOTE: some countries require the VS import permit before they

will issue a health certificate.

The import health requirements defined by VS are met.

The health certificate must indicate the seal numbers that were applied by

the official government veterinarian to the carrier which your bird will be

in during its travel to the U.S.

The health certificate must contain the following statements:

The bird is being exported in accordance with the laws of that

country.

The bird was not vaccinated against any H5 or H7 subtype of avian

influenza.

CHOOSE EITHER OPTION A OR B BELOW:

A. The bird was not vaccinated against Newcastle disease. 

OR

B. The bird has been vaccinated against Newcastle disease (avian paramyxovirus) at

least 21 days prior to export, using vaccines that do not contain any velogenic

strains of Newcastle disease virus.

The bird has been examined by the veterinarian issuing the health certificate

and showed no evidence of any communicable diseases of poultry.

The bird has not been exposed to other birds during the pre-export isolation

period.

The bird was isolated for a minimum of 21 days immediately prior to export.

The isolation was supervised by an official government veterinarian or by an

authorized veterinarian in the exporting country who issued the export health

certificate.

The bird was moved directly from the pre-export isolation location to the port of

embarkation to the United States.

The birds were placed in new or appropriately sanitized packing materials at

the premise from which the export process began.

Pet birds returning to the United States (i.e. U.S. origin) have different import

requirements than those birds of non-U.S. origin.  The health certificate specific for
this category of pet bird is provided HERE (206.48 KB)

Additionally, you should carefully review your VS import permit to make sure there

are no other requirements or certification statements listed. If you see requirements

on your import permit that are different from what is listed above, please check with

the office that issued your permit to be sure you understand all the requirements.

Note: It is important to check with the veterinary authorities of Mexico make sure

they don’t have additional export requirements (some countries require testing for

birds to leave the country, even though it isn’t required by the U.S. when entering).

The veterinarian issuing the health certificate should be your contact for any local

government requirements.

STEP 6: Consult airline carrier

SUGGESTED TIME FRAME: when flight is scheduled

You will need to discuss with your airline carrier any specific requirements they have

related to your pet bird travel.

Airlines may have different requirements for when the health certificate must be

issued.  They may also require that the pet birds travel as cargo, which can impact

where your inspection occurs on arrival. The airline can also provide information on

their requirements for carriers/cages, feed/water, and documentation.

STEP 7: Contact Veterinary Services port office to discuss and finalize arrival.

SUGGESTED TIME FRAME: minimum of 72 hours prior to arrival, preferably

as soon as flight is scheduled

You must contact the VS port office at least 72 hours prior to arrival to alert port

personnel of your arrival and discuss arrival plans.

Your VS import permit will list contact information for the first port of arrival. You

should call or email the port as soon as possible to make arrangements for when you

arrive. The port personnel can provide you more information about the specific

process at that airport and what you should expect on arrival. Make sure to tell the

port personnel whether your bird is traveling in the cabin with you, as accompanied

baggage, or as unaccompanied cargo (manifest cargo), since that will alter where

the vs personnel will meet you to take your pet bird. The port personnel will review

your import permit and discuss any additional requirements that might be listed,
and can discuss fees and payment options.

Based on your earlier contact with FWS (STEP 2), you should know whether your pet

bird is subject to any additional FWS requirements. You will need to coordinate with

port FWS personnel to arrange for any inspection or document review that might be

needed.

For more information on FWS requirements, please visit the FWS Traveling Abroad

with Your Pet Bird website to learn more.

You may also contact them directly at 703-358-2104 or 800-358-2104.

STEP 8: Departing for the U.S.

SUGGESTED TIME FRAME: variable, to be done day of departure

Make sure to send all the required documentation with your pet bird.

You will need to have the following items:

The original health certificate issued in Mexico

The original VS import permit

Original CITES documents (if your pet bird is regulated by FWS)

Contact FWS with any questions about CITES documents.

All documentation should accompany the pet bird during travel.

STEP 9: Arrive in U.S. and declare your bird to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

SUGGESTED TIME FRAME: on arrival, allow 4 or more hours

You will need to clear your pet bird with Customs and Border Protection (CBP) when

you arrive in the U.S.  

The CBP OneTM mobile application is available at select U.S. ports of entry to

expedite your pet bird’s CBP agriculture inspection. You may request an inspection,

upload required documentation, and view the status and details of your inspection

prior to arrival.

If your bird is flying with you and is not manifested as cargo (i.e. you do not have an

airway bill), you will need to declare your bird to CBP when you clear customs.

Typically you will then be directed to a secondary CBP agriculture inspection, which
is most likely where the VS port personnel (and FWS inspector if required) will meet

you.

If your bird is flying as cargo, you will have to talk to the airline cargo company to

find out where your bird will be transported after landing, where to obtain your

documentation, and what the procedures are for clearing your bird through customs.

If you are on the same flight, you may have to travel to the cargo facility warehouse

to meet the port personnel (and FWS inspector if required) after you clear customs

and passport control. You may need to take your bird’s paperwork to another

location to clear your bird through customs.

STEP 10: Meet port personnel and enter into quarantine

SUGGESTED TIME FRAME: on arrival

For all pet birds traveling to the U.S. from Mexico, VS port personnel will meet you

to take your bird to a federal quarantine facility at an Animal Import Center (AIC). All

pet birds traveling from Mexico must complete a 30-day federal quarantine.

You are required to provide a notice of arrival to VS port personnel at least 72 hours

prior to arriving at the U.S. port. Once your bird arrives, it must clear U.S. Customs

and Border Protection (CBP) inspection.  If CBP port personnel notice a health

concern, or there is a problem with your paperwork, CBP will notify the VS port

veterinarian who will discuss U.S. entry options with you at that time. Otherwise,

once the bird clears U.S. customs entry, VS port personnel will meet your bird at the

port location discussed during your notice of arrival. 

VS port personnel will oversee the transport of your pet bird to the Animal Import

Center (AIC) to start the 30-day quarantine period. Transport arrangements vary by

port of entry and should be discussed with the AIC staff prior to arrival in the United

States.  Importers/bird owners cannot visit pets while the birds are in quarantine. 

Once your bird arrives at the AIC, VS personnel will collect cloacal samples to test for

avian influenza and Newcastle disease.  You will be responsible for paying the

laboratory testing fee.

Fees for federal quarantine

9CFR 130.10 “User fees for pet birds (b)” – daily user fees vary depending on the

number of birds in an isolate (as determined by the APHIS personnel at the AIC).

Fees include standard care, feed, and handling per day during the quarantine
period. 

Fees for testing: 

9CFR 130.15 “Virus isolation” – this fee is charged per “lot” and samples from up to

5 pet birds may be combined. This fee is charged twice – once for the initial cloacal

swab test upon arrival at the AIC, and again for the second set of samples are

collected during quarantine. These fees are charged directly by the National

Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) after the samples are received, therefore you

must provide a separate form of payment that is sent directly to NVSL (check,

money order, credit card, or APHIS user fee account are acceptable). 

Overtime charges: 

9CFR 97.1 “Overtime work at laboratories, border ports, ocean ports, and airports” –

see the first chart. If your flight arrives before or after normal port duty hours (these

will vary from port to port but are typically 8:00AM-4:30PM), additional overtime fees

apply. These fees  vary depending on the port location and the specific times of

service.  Contact the port of arrival to get a cost estimate. 

Compliance assistance charges: 

9CFR 130.4 “Import compliance assistance – simple or complicated” – this fee is

charged once per lot. You may be required to pay an import compliance assistance

fee if there are any discrepancies in your paperwork. 

Note: Non-compliance could result in refusal entry of your pet bird into the United

States.

STEP 11: Second sample collection

SUGGESTED TIME FRAME: 7-14 days after arrival

All pet birds are required to have two sets of samples collected and tested for avian

influenza and Newcastle disease. The first sample is collected on arrival, and the

second set approximately 7-14 days later.

VS personnel at the federal quarantine facility will collect samples from your bird.

You will be responsible for paying the laboratory testing fee.

STEP 12: Release from quarantine

SUGGESTED TIME FRAME: 30 days after arrival
All pet birds are eligible for release from quarantine 30 days after arrival, assuming

the birds are healthy and both sets of samples collected by VS tested negative. Your

bird is not officially released from quarantine until you are notified by VS. Once your

bird has been in quarantine for 30 days, and has had two sets of negative test

results, it can be released from quarantine. You will need to make arrangements

with the quarantine facility to pick up your bird after the 30 days are up. These

arrangements should be made prior to the end of the quarantine to avoid extra

charges.

U.S. State and Territory Requirements

Domestic movement requirements are set by the receiving State or Territory.

Visit the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture to find your

destination's agriculture department and check its website for requirements.

For questions or clarification on any of the requirements, contact the State or

Territorial veterinarian's office.

Airline Requirements

Check with your airline to determine whether they have any additional

requirements.

Need Help?

For general questions related to the import of a live animal:

Live Animal Import and Export

Email: laie@usda.gov

Phone: 301-851-3300